How many LGBT items are in the new Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture and is it enough to please gay historians?

It’s a tough question to answer because some ostensibly gay items may not be presented as such. It’s now widely believed, for instance, that “A Raisin in the Sun” playwright Lorraine Hansberry was a closeted lesbian for much of her short life (she died at age 34 in 1965), but to what degree does this factor into her representation in the museum, for instance?

Slated to open this weekend with a ceremony Saturday morning in which President Obama will speak, the museum has yet to be assessed by the public. And curators acknowledge it’s impossible to please everyone. Descendants of the Quander family, whose roots can be traced back to slaves at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, have publicly expressed disappointment at not being represented in the inaugural museum displays, for instance. But whether there’s enough LGBT representation overall to please gay historians is yet to be determined.

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

A Dupont Circle location, The Beacon Hotel creates an experience tailored to the lifestyle of leisure travelers, full service, where guests enjoy exceptional hospitality in a welcoming atmosphere. A fresh design, the latest in technology advancements flat panel televisions, WebTV and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Stepping out into Washington, D.C., the mighty American capital, is like walking onto a television set. With its striking landmarks, iconic memorials and generally smart appearance, it feels unreal. So much so, during a recent twilight tour of its greatest sights, the theme tune to Netflix series House of Cards started playing in my head.

But equally as camera-ready as the District of Columbia are the handful of ‘districts’ that surround it; the many pockets of Maryland and Virginia that comprise the wider Capital Region.

From buzzing cities such as Maryland’s Rockville and Richmond’s Virginia, to the plethora of landscapes along the curve of the Potomac River, the Capital Region as a whole offers boundless travel opportunities – especially for those who like to get out and about. Here, we count down just eight of them…

Openly gay musician Billy Winn shares his love of the American capital, from gay neighbourhoods to phallic-looking buildings!

Openly gay musician Billy Winn shares his love of the American capital, from gay neighbourhoods to phallic-looking buildings!

I’ve lived here since… 2009, when I moved here to go to Georgetown University.

I’ve stayed because… I got back into music, and because of all the changes I’ve seen since I first moved here. The vibe of the city as a whole has changed a lot. It’s become a lot more cultural and artsy – and it’s a really gay-friendly city.

My favorite queer bar has to be… I love Cobalt. They always have something different going on — from dance parties and drag shows to pop acts and celebrity appearances. Friday nights are the best!

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

Your Home in the Nation’s Captial: Talofa! Welcome to Malolo Bed and Breakfast – DC. Malolo means rest in the Samoan language. We want you to enjoy and relax while visiting our Nation’s Capital. We are minutes from downtown DC where you can enjoy a day at the museums, catch a game or concert or go on a monument tour.

As you all know we like to get to the bottom of everything (no pun intended!) so we reached out to our friends at Capital Pride to get the inside scoop on this awesome Pride Festival! Here is the skinny from our good friend Missy Toms, programmer of the festival.

What sets Capital Pride apart from other events of its type?

“Capital Pride is the third largest Pride in the nation. The Capitol Building is the backdrop for our main performance stage. We plan events for two full weeks in June, not just a parade and festival. Also, our parade has been voted the Best in DC four years running.”

What about this year’s Capital Pride makes it bigger and better than last year’s?

“All these things are happening at the festival.We have expanded our family area to include inflatables and fun activities. We have a Taste@Pride where people can purchase tickets for chef tastings and Barefoot Wines. Our arts section will include an Art Fair. We’ll have a demonstration area for groups like dog handlers and roller derby girls to perform.”